Minnesota Now

A housing development in north Minneapolis was meant to be a better model for public housing. Heritage Park opened in the early 2000s after a legal settlement over housing segregation. It’s a mix of market-rate and subsidized units. Today, many of its units sit vacant. And residents and city leaders say neglected maintenance has caused roof leaks, mold and other problems.

City Council member Pearll Warren represents the area. She recently toured a few vacant units. And she led a request from the city council for an audit of how public funds were used on the property.

City Council member Pearll Warren joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about what she saw at Heritage Park.

The United States is hosting the World Cup soccer tournament, but Minnesota is not a host city. So instead, fans are flocking to bars and breweries. And new data from the payment company Square found bars and breweries saw an 8 percent increase in revenue, and that was just during the first round of the tournament.

Wes Burdine, owner of the Black Hart of Saint Paul, a LGBTQ+ soccer bar, joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the economic moment brought by the World Cup.

A growing number of young people are using AI companions and chatbots for emotional support, friendship and even virtual relationships, according to researchers at the University of Minnesota. Despite the growth, most teens aren’t advertising that they’re using it – for many, it is stigmatized.

Researchers at the U of M are exploring teen use of AI companions.

Xiaoran Sun, an assistant professor in the University of Minnesota’s College of Education and Human Development and co-lead at the U of M Teen and A-I Study, joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about what her team is learning about teens and AI companions.

The National Weather Service is surveying storm damage in Becker County after a preliminary assessment found that at least an EF-1 tornado, with wind speeds of 110 miles per hour, touched down north of Detroit Lakes.

During the storm, two people were injured and homes, trees and power lines were damaged in the area.

Carrie Smith, the Becker County Administrator, and Abby Fostveit, photographer for the Detroit Lakes Tribune, joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the storm and recovery in the area.

Minnesota’s new paid leave program is now six months old. State officials managing the benefit offered some fresh statistics on how many people are using it for family bonding or medical-related time off. They’re also keeping tabs on how that use is lining up with earlier projections. Reporter Kyra Miles joined Minnesota Now with the latest.

Ten years ago, Philando Castile was killed by a police officer in the St. Paul suburb of Falcon Heights. His death led to calls for accountability and change in policing. His mother, Valerie Castile, threw herself into that work.

Four Black-led nonprofits in the Twin Cities with a combined 300-plus years of history announced they're coming together to try to have a greater impact. We'll learn more about what they hope to do with a new collaboration.

Plus, we'll meet a 14 year old boxer who just won gold at the Junior Olympics.

And Mexico is out of the World Cup, but we'll hear about how the team's run inspired fans in the Twin Cities.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Are You Coming Home” by Clovers Daughter, and our Song of the Day was “Naz Reid Book Club” by League Two.

Valerie Castile lost her son ten years ago Monday. Philando Castile was killed by a St. Anthony police officer in a traffic stop in Falcon Heights a few days before his 33rd birthday. A jury acquitted the officer, Jeronimo Yanez, of manslaughter the following year.

Since losing her son, Valerie Castile has worked to honor his memory by speaking out about his killing and joining calls for accountability in policing.

Valerie Castile has a room in her home dedicated to other tributes to Philando: paintings, photographs and proclamations cover the walls. MPR News host Nina Moini talked with her there about how her life has changed and how she remembers her son now.

Team U.S. plays Belgium Monday in Seattle in the round of 16. Forward Folarin Balogun may join his teammates for team U.S after his one-game suspension was lifted after intervention from President Trump. Belgium has challenged this decision.

Minnesota Now sports contributors, Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson, spoke more about the World Cup, the Twins and more.

Four Black-led Twin Cities nonprofits have come together to form something they hope will help them continue to service those in need. The Legacy Stabilization Collaborative is a new joint effort between the Aurora St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Corporation, the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, and the Urban League Twin Cities.

Together, these nonprofits have more than 300 years of experience helping families in the Twin Cities.

Tatiana Freeman, president of Aurora St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Corporation joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the new collaboration.

A school district is still grappling with being in the bullseye during Operation Metro Surge. We'll hear from them. Plus, a year after being federally charged for anti-ICE actions, Isavela Lopez has taken a plea deal. We'll talk to her about how the case impacted her life.

A new kind of disaster recovery insurance uses sensors and AI to track wind speeds and flood levels. We'll learn about how cities along the Mississippi River are planning to use it.

The United States is turning 250 this weekend. We'll hear from Minnesotans on how they think the nation fares and what America means to them.

And veterans are celebrating 100 years of a campground in Minnesota made just for them.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Willow Weep For Me” by Bob Davis Quartet and our Song of the Day was “America” by Simon and Garfunkel.